Make A Gratitude Box

A thankful heart is a happy heart. When we take time to count our blessings, thank others for their generosity, and reflect on God’s hand in our lives, we find joy. We find peace. And we find that even the darkest days have blessings tucked within. Create a Gratitude Box that will foster these values in your family, and keep practical items, like thank-you notes and envelopes, easy to find when needed.

Gather your supplies:

–an old tin or box (square or rectangle shape works best)
–a small, blank journal (hand make this simple journal)
–card stock
–hole punch
–ribbon
–scissors/paper cutter
–printer paper
–decorative stickers and/or stamps (create your own stickers here)
–-pens
–markers

Create

–Print scripture verses related to gratitude on card stock, cut into small cards, hole punch a corner, and tie together with a ribbon. Here are some scripture verses to get you started:

“All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17

“Enter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving.  Give thanks to God, bless his name.” Psalm 100:4

“Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

“And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.  And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Philippians 4:6

–Make or decorate your journal, labeling it “My Gratitude Journal.”

–Print a card with “Ideas for using your journal” to be pasted inside the front cover of the gratitude journal. Ideas can include: write down something you are thankful for at the end of each day; read or copy one of your gratitude bible verses and think about what it means; write your own prayer of gratitude to God; use it as a way to record your blessings and see how God works in your life!

–Create and print “Thank You Card Trackers” to be kept in your gratitude box.

–Place blank thank-you notes in your gratitude box.

Use it!

–Make a habit of using your Gratitude Journal: copy and reflect on the gratitude scripture verses, write down your daily blessings, or compose prayers of thanksgiving. Small children can draw pictures of things for which they are thankful.

–Keep track of thank you notes to be written on your “Thank-You Note Tracker”

–Set aside a regular day in the week to catch up on thank-you notes.

Make it a family habit to be grateful, and in the words of Saint John Paul II:

“Remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”

Copyright 2015 Charisse Tierney
All photos copyright 2015 Charisse Tierney.  All rights reserved.